Arguments

OTTAWA – Pipeline companies and other industrial stakeholders could be obliged to abandon or alter proposed projects – if a review identifies risks of irreversible impacts – because of the Canadian government’s constitutional responsibility to accommodate the rights of First Nations groups, says a newly-released internal federal discussion paper. The document, released through access to information legislation by Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development Canada, was prepared in advance of a December 1, 2011 meeting in Calgary between federal government officials and ...

John Duncan has some 'splainin' to do about his botched handling of the Attawapiskat crisis to a judge. Last Thursday, he suddenly pulled the third-party manager from Attawapiskat First Nation with a dubious statement about an improvement in bookkeeping.
The move came on the eve of a court case against the government's decision to impose the third-party manager. If Duncan hoped that pulling the third-party manager would save the government from going to court, he was mistaken. The community says that, even with the third-party manager being removed, they intend to challenge Duncan's handling ...

... of the Signing of the Gwich'in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement
The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of Aboriginal Affairs and Northern Development, issued the following statement today:
“On behalf of the Government of Canada, I would like to extend congratulations to our partners, the Gwich’in Tribal Council, the Gwich’in people and the Government of the Northwest Territories, on the upcoming 20th anniversary of the signing of the Gwich’in Comprehensive Land Claim Agreement.
The Agreement provides certainty on Gwich’in ownership of approximately 22,330 ...